Koopmans, Kraayenbrink Start Strong For Redeemer

Chatham Christian graduate Julie Koopmans, and Wallaceburg product Taylor Kraayenbrink had a strong start to their OCAA cross country season for the Redeemer Royals this past weekend at the Fanshawe Invitational.

Koopmans and her women’s team took home bronze in the race. Koopmans finished an impressive 14th overall, second amongst Redeemer runners.

On the Redeemer Royals website, cross country head coach Jeff Summerhays said he was happy with his women’s team performance, “I was really pleased with where everyone was at today and I felt that everyone ran really well for the first race of the season. I knew our women’s team was going to be strong but I was pleasantly surprised by where they finished up.”

Wallaceburg District Secondary School product, and Port Lambton resident Taylor Kraayenbrink also drew praise from Summerhays after he led all men’s runners from Redeemer with a 16th place finish, crossing the line in 28:16.

Taylor ran a very strong race from start to finish. He almost matched his time that he finished the OCAA championships with last year. He’s in great shape and he’s very focused,” Summerhays said on the Royals website.

For more information visit www.redeemerroyals.com